Dick Butkus Gave Tremaine Edmunds Incredible Advice Prior To His Passing

Few players have given more to the Chicago Bears organization over the years than Dick Butkus. He still has a case for being the greatest linebacker in NFL history. Not only was he the most feared football player of his era, but his production stood out even then, with 27 recovered fumbles and 22 interceptions. The guy was far more than vicious hits and nasty tackles. It's often forgotten how much he sacrificed. Towards the end of his career, Butkus was playing on knees that had been shredded by injuries. It is why he was forced to retire after only nine seasons in the league.

Still, his memory endures because he made the most of those nine seasons. Now, the next generation of Bears linebackers is trying to carve out their own legacy. Tremaine Edmunds is one of them. After a successful run with the Buffalo Bills, the two-time Pro Bowler elected to join the Bears. A big part of his reasoning was the organization's history. They have an excellent track record of building stars at his position, and Butkus was one of his inspirations. The Bears got the two together last month, shortly before the Hall of Famer's tragic death.

Butkus provided excellent advice on how Edmunds can take his game to the highest possible peak.

Dick Butkus was a perfectionist, and it served him well.

Not every profession is receptive to people who nitpick the little things. However, it can be great for athletes. Refusing to believe they ever play great games drives them to do better the next time. That is how you produce consistent excellence. The production and endless highlights speak for themselves. Butkus was a great athlete, but his relentless drive to be the better the next time made him one of the best ever. If Edmunds embraces a similar philosophy moving forward, there is nothing he can't achieve.

The 26-year-old has the size and athleticism of Brian Urlacher. That was the most common comparison he drew in college. One thing people weren't sure about was his passion to be great. Nobody can argue he plays hard. It's about giving that little bit extra when he's on the field. It's fitting one of the last contributions Dick Butkus made to the Bears before passing was giving advice to a middle linebacker. Nothing could've wrapped up his iconic legacy better.